Thomas Paine: “The insulted German and the enslaved Spaniard, the Russ and the Pole, are beginning to think.”

In those which proceed from the former cause, the temper becomes incensed and soured; and the redress, obtained by danger, is too often sullied by revenge.

If, therefore, the good to be obtained be worthy of a passive, rational, and costless revolution, it would be bad policy to prefer waiting for a calamity that should force a violent one.

As to what are called national religions, we may, with as much propriety, talk of national Gods.

Discussion and the general will arbitrates the question, and to this, private opinion yields with a good grace, and order is preserved uninterrupted.